Niko
Editor, Senior Moderator
Hat tip to Alex in French forum
(October 2, 2006)
Tahiti issues early warning for dengue epidemic
(Tahitipresse) - The French Polynesia Health Ministry has issued an early warning for a dengue epidemic after an increase in the number of cases in three communes on the island of Tahiti.
The Hygiene and Public Health Center has organized with the municipal governments in each commune spraying campaigns to try to wipe out mosquitoes, which transmit the dengue to humans.
The communes involved are Mahina on the north coast, Punaauia on the west coast and Paea on the southwest coast. Stepped-up efforts will continue in the coming weeks to try and locate exactly where the dengue cases are so that rapid intervention can be used to wipe out the adult mosquitoes and mosquito nests.
Private doctors have been advised to take a blood sample from any suspected dengue patient before the fifth day of symptoms and provide health officials with the address of the patient.
There are four possible types of dengue viruses, although the Health Ministry's communiqu? issued Monday does not specify what type is currently involved. There is no cross-immunity between each of the four viruses, and there is no way of predicting which virus will hit from one year to the next. As a result, there is no vaccine to protect people from the dengue.
The first symptoms are the onset of "high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains nausea and vomiting, eye pain and rash. Generally, younger children have a milder illness than older children and adults," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDD) Internet Web site. "Occasionally (the dengue) produces shock and hemorrhage, leading to death."
"There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids and consult a physician," the CDC advises.
The traditional dengue period occurs during the warmer, more humid time of year, aided by rainfall that produces natural breeding places for mosquitoes.
Dengue outbreaks mainly occur in areas where the "Aedes aegypti" mosquitoes live. That "includes most tropical urban areas of the world. Dengue viruses may be introduced into areas by travelers who become infected while visiting other areas of the tropics where dengue commonly exists", according to the CDC.
http://www.tahitipresse.pf/index.cfm?snav=see&presse=17518
(October 2, 2006)
Tahiti issues early warning for dengue epidemic
(Tahitipresse) - The French Polynesia Health Ministry has issued an early warning for a dengue epidemic after an increase in the number of cases in three communes on the island of Tahiti.
The Hygiene and Public Health Center has organized with the municipal governments in each commune spraying campaigns to try to wipe out mosquitoes, which transmit the dengue to humans.
The communes involved are Mahina on the north coast, Punaauia on the west coast and Paea on the southwest coast. Stepped-up efforts will continue in the coming weeks to try and locate exactly where the dengue cases are so that rapid intervention can be used to wipe out the adult mosquitoes and mosquito nests.
Private doctors have been advised to take a blood sample from any suspected dengue patient before the fifth day of symptoms and provide health officials with the address of the patient.
There are four possible types of dengue viruses, although the Health Ministry's communiqu? issued Monday does not specify what type is currently involved. There is no cross-immunity between each of the four viruses, and there is no way of predicting which virus will hit from one year to the next. As a result, there is no vaccine to protect people from the dengue.
The first symptoms are the onset of "high fever, severe headache, backache, joint pains nausea and vomiting, eye pain and rash. Generally, younger children have a milder illness than older children and adults," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDD) Internet Web site. "Occasionally (the dengue) produces shock and hemorrhage, leading to death."
"There is no specific medication for treatment of a dengue infection. Persons who think they have dengue should use analgesics (pain relievers) with acetaminophen and avoid those containing aspirin. They should also rest, drink plenty of fluids and consult a physician," the CDC advises.
The traditional dengue period occurs during the warmer, more humid time of year, aided by rainfall that produces natural breeding places for mosquitoes.
Dengue outbreaks mainly occur in areas where the "Aedes aegypti" mosquitoes live. That "includes most tropical urban areas of the world. Dengue viruses may be introduced into areas by travelers who become infected while visiting other areas of the tropics where dengue commonly exists", according to the CDC.
http://www.tahitipresse.pf/index.cfm?snav=see&presse=17518
